Director - Data Centres

Global Architecture & Design firm

London, UK

A global architecture and design firm is seeking a Director – Data Centres to lead one of its most strategically important sectors.

Studio:

A global architecture and design firm is seeking a Director – Data Centres to lead one of its most strategically important sectors. Based in London, this role will oversee the operational and financial performance of the Data Centres studio, with a strong focus on talent, project delivery, and long-term growth.

This is a key leadership role in an internationally recognised practice, offering the chance to shape a high-performing team and deliver technically complex, design-led projects for world-class clients.

Role:

The role of Director – Data Centres blends strategic leadership with day-to-day operational oversight. You will work alongside the Practice Leader and Office Directsor, managing a studio that is both technically sophisticated and commercially astute. The focus is twofold: leading teams to deliver exceptional work while ensuring the studio operates efficiently, profitably, and with clarity of direction.

You’ll be accountable for the studio’s performance, from financial health to team wellbeing. This is not a back-office role; it is highly visible, collaborative, and deeply connected to both clients and project teams. You’ll support business planning and resource allocation, shape studio culture, and mentor a cross-disciplinary team of architects, designers, project managers, and technical specialists.

This is a role for someone who enjoys managing a business unit within a larger firm. It would suit a leader who sees operational excellence as inseparable from creative and technical delivery, someone who is passionate about people and process as much as project outcomes.

Responsibilities & Experience:

• Lead the operations of the Data Centres studio, including financial oversight, staffing, and resource planning
  • Collaborate with practice leadership and the Office Director on strategic planning, growth, and business objectives
  • Oversee multiple data centre projects at once, monitoring project health, service delivery, and client satisfaction
  • Serve as senior interface with clients, helping to maintain and strengthen long-term relationships
  • Guide and mentor project teams, including architects, designers, project managers, and technical leads
  • Foster a collaborative studio culture and support individual career development across the team
  • Support marketing and business development strategies, including pitches and proposal input when needed
  • Ensure that project schedules, budgets, and quality standards are met across all studio work
  • Contribute to wider firm initiatives, cross-studio collaboration, and continuous improvement of delivery standards
  • Act as a technical advisor, bringing a problem-solving mindset to complex project and studio challenges

The Ideal Candidate:

• A senior professional with 15+ years of experience in the architecture, design, or AEC industry
  • Holds a professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field (licensure preferred)
  • Has significant experience delivering data centre or mission-critical projects in the UK or Europe
  • Brings strong financial and operational acumen, comfortable managing studio P&L and performance metrics
  • Experienced in leading multi-disciplinary teams and managing large-scale, technically complex projects
  • Possesses excellent leadership, interpersonal, and team-building skills
  • Adept at navigating internal and external stakeholder relationships, with strong presentation and negotiation abilities
  • Proficient in project and business tools such as Deltek Vision, MS Office, and Microsoft Teams
  • Thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and brings clarity, confidence, and care to team leadership

This is a rare opportunity to lead a high-profile project sector within an internationally respected practice. You’ll have the backing of a global network, the support of an experienced leadership team, and the autonomy to shape a studio with purpose and vision.

If you’re ready to lead a business unit with real impact, where technical excellence meets operational clarity, this role could be the next defining move in your career.